Eradan, Andriel and Farin travel with Belarum to Mirkwood in search of Radagast. In the air they’re attacked by Wolfram, a sorcerer and a Fell Beast rider, after which they fall from the Eagle’s back. They defeat Wolfram, after his death Wolfram’s Fell Beast tries to escape but is killed by Belarum. Andriel leads the others deeper into Mirkwood. They are ambushed by a group of Orcs and an Orc shaman. Eventually the fellowship enter a cave where they defeat a Cave-troll.[12]

Gameplay

Developed in association with Middle-earth Enterprises, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North explores both original and familiar narrative elements as Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment holds the rights to develop video games based on both the literary and motion picture content from The Lord of the Rings. Breaking new ground as a mature RPG video game set in Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North advances the RPG paradigm through innovative online, interdependent co-op play for up to three players who form their own Fellowship to fight Sauron’s forces in the North.

In The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, players can become the heroes in the great battle of the North as part of the epic War of the Ring. Exploring unseen lands, story elements and characters from Middle-earth as well as elements familiar from past feature films, gamers will experience extensive character customization and development, expansive co-op gameplay options and upgradeable weapons, skills and special abilities.—Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, product announcement[3]

Commentators have noted that this is the first iteration of The Lord of the Rings-based games which is aimed at an older audience - predicted to be the first game in the series to be given and M-rating - with the inclusion of graphic violence and gory bloody detail[13] with players being able decapitate orcs and slash limbs off enemies.[14] When defeating enemies you can gain experience and loot. With experience you can gain new skills, there are twenty skills for each race.[5] Every skill has five different ranks. Loot can also be found in chests. Some items can only be used by a certain race, therefore it is possible to trade with the other characters of your fellowship.[15] The gameplay - in both single and multiplayer modes - revolves around strategically combining the different abilities of the threesome to good effect, for instance the dwarf can find treasure and spot weaknesses in structures, which lead to alternate roads,[12] whereas the man can find herbs to heal other party members. When in single-player, the other two characters will be controlled by computer AI.[4] Working together with the other characters of your fellowship is very important to defeat stronger enemies.

It is possible to co-up (cooperatieve mode) both local and online,[5] players can join the game on every moment.[15] While the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 support split-screen, online split-screen and online multiplayer, the PC only includes online multiplayer.[16]

The game will not be open world, nevertheless some areas will be more open then others.[17] It is still unknown if it is possible to return to earlier locations. There will be severel NPC's (Non-playable characters) in the game, some of them will have a more passive role while others fight beside you.[10] Like many RPG's the dialogue system is very important, and effects the game's storyline.[5]

If you are in need of help you can call the eagle Belarum, who can help you to defeat bigger or stronger enemies. Calling him is limited in the begin, but while leveling you can find items which make it possible to call him. It is impossible to call Belarum underground or in building and there is a cool down for using him.[18]

Featured Characters

Playable Characters

Eradan: Eradan is Dúnedain and one of the Rangers that acompenied Aragorn as the Grey Company. He is very good in tracking enemies and fights with a sword and a bow. He can move undetected behind enemies with his skill evasion.[16]

Andriel: Andriel is an Elf of Rivendell and was sended by Elrond to investigate Sauron's armies that were gathering in Eriador and Rhovanion. One of her abilities can create a shield that protects her and the other characters of the fellowship against ranged attacks. She can use her staff as both a melee and a ranged weapon.[16]

Farin: Farin is a dwarf of Erebor that has travelled to Eriador to repay his debt to Bilbo Baggins. He can be used as a tank and his strenght is in battle enemies in close quarters.[16] His main weapon is an axe, but he uses a cross-bow as his ranged weapon.[12]

Development

Development on War in the North started at early 2010 or late 2009, Saul Zaentz Company claimed the name The Lord of the Rings: War in the North in June 2009.[26] Though, the game wasn't officially announced untill 18 March 2011.[27] Since its announcement several images, traillers and concept art of several locations and characters has been released.

Trailers

Since the first announcement in March 2010, Warner Bros. have periodically released trailers demonstrating various aspects of the gameplay and revealing the characters and locations. All video links are to YouTube, and times are in minutes:

Collector's Edition

The collector's edition of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North.

Besides the normal version of the game, a collector's edition will be released. This collector's edition will include an artbook, a behind-the-scenes music dvd, a quiver case as well as access to digital gubbins: icons, avatars and themes. Some retailers give extra add-ons. Both the collector's Edition and the special add-ons will be avaible in North-America and Europe; it is still unknown if it will be avaible in other parts of the world.[28]

Reception

It's a very handsome game with well voiced cutscenes, and places the compelling Lord of the Rings realm in the hands of a developer with solid RPG credentials. Fans of both have good reason to look forward to a unique entry in the series.—Kotaku[4]

Commentators immediately picked up on Snowblind Studios' experience with role-playing games (such as Baldur's Gate and Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest) along with frequent mentions of the more "mature" and "brutal"[29] design of the game, and the desire for an action RPG in the manner of previous Snowblind games.[30]